LaLiga - Matchday 27 - 11/03/2017 13:00h

March, 11 2017 -

Valencia CF were held to a 1-1 draw by Sporting Gijon at Mestalla on Matchday 27 of the LaLiga season, despite enjoying a wealth of chances throughout the game. Munir El-Haddadi's 85th minute equaliser cancelled out a strike from Sporting's Duje Cop, and the points were shared in the early Saturday afternoon kickoff.

The opportunities for VCF began early, and Fabian Orellana forced a save from Sporting goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar with his low shot shortly after the game got underway. Shortly after, another move from the Chilean saw Simone Zaza have a go on goal, without success.

There could have been a penalty awarded in the home side's favour, when José Luis Gayà snaked his way into the box and was felled by defender Jorge Meré. The referee adjudged it not to have been a foul, despite the protests of the players.

Almost at the end of the first half, Zaza tried his luck with a header that ended up going over the top. The response from Sporting was a similar opportunity for Mikel Vesga that grazed the crossbar before going over. The two sides went into the break with the game still goalless.

Right after the second half began, Orellana produced a terrific run at pace. He rapidly covered ground with ambition for goal and made his way through for a shot, but was unable to beat Cuellar with his final touch.

Sporting were biding their time, and 2 minutes after Orellana's chance they called Diego Alves into action. Nacho Cases' effort was kept out acrobatically by the Brazilian, who had not been overly busy in the first half.

Having had a penalty appeal waved away in the first half, Gayà was awarded a spot kick 10 minutes into the second. Vesga knocked him over inside the area, and referee Alvaro Izquierdo was quick to make the decision. Dani Parejo stepped up to take the penalty, but Cuellar guessed the right way and made the save.

Shortly after, Valencia CF found themselves trailing. A quick counter gave Burgui the chance to shoot, and although Alves saved the first time, Duje Cop was able to put in the rebound. VCF were 0-1 down, with half an hour still to play.

Coach Voro looked to change things up, and brought Santi Mina on from the bench in place of defender Martin Montoya. The home side upped the pressure in search of the equaliser, and nearly got it through Zaza on 73 minutes. The Italian's shot, however, was too close to the opposition stopper. Shortly afterwards, Munir put a shot wide -as only a lack of sharpness in the area denied Valencia CF a handful of goals.

The persistence finally provided a reward on 85 minutes, as Joao Cancelo put a perfect cross into the box. Meeting it was Munir, who headed home to pull his side level.

A final push for a winning goal saw VCF dominate possession, but there would be no winning goal. Carlos Soler head just wide in the closest chance to claim victory, and the game ended 1-1.

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